Dear ladies and gentlemen!I would like to invite you to take part in the eighth International Maritime Defence Show-2017 which is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and will be held in St. Petersburg from 28 June to 2 July 2017.Development of the domestic shipbuilding industry is one of the priorities of the state industrial policy. Within the program of the domestic shipbuilding industry development measures for stimulation of shipbuilding, reconstruction of existing shipyards and creation of new high-tech shipyards are being carried out. The ultimate goal is creation of a new image of the Russian shipbuilding cable to produce competitive military and civil products.The format and carrying conditions of IMDS-2017 provide an opportunity to present products, get acquainted with product samples at stands of other developers and manufacturers, visit ships and attend demonstrations of naval artillery systems, hold meetings with partners, visit the leading shipbuilding enterprises and participate in an eventful congress and business program.I am convinced that holding the International Maritime Defence Show in Saint-Petersburg will contribute to strengthening of positions of Russia in the world shipbuilding market as well as to expansion of business contacts in the sphere of military-technical and scientific cooperation, industrial and technological partnership.

Denis ManturovMinister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation